Flat bottom boat stabilizer

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to stabilizing devices for small boats, and more particularly to a device attached to a flat bottom fishing boat that stabilizes the boat while in use. The flat bottom boat stabilizer is comprised of two cylinder tubes with water breaking plates attached to two cross beams (with hinges for folding up during transportation) by struts and medal straps. The stabilizer system is attached to the boat by two angle plates and U bolts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Provisional Patent Application

[0002] Application number: 60/317,227

[0003] Filing Date: Sep. 4, 2001

[0004] Name of Applicant: Billy G. Hinchee

[0005] Title of Invention: Flat Bottom Boat Stabilizer

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0006] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention relates to stabilizing devices for small boats, and more particularly to a device attached to a flat bottom fishing boat that stabilizes the boat while in use.

[0008] Small water craft such as flat bottom boats are easily tilted while in use by the occupant, by waves created by larger boats or by strong water currents. An occupant using a flat bottom boat must limit movement in the boat and keep their center of gravity low and in the center of the boat to deter capsizing the boat. An occupant using a flat bottom boat in a large body of water must be aware of large waves from larger watercraft or strong currents that could capsize the boat.

[0009] This invention stabilizes the boat to allow occupants to move about in the boat and reduce the risk of tilting the boat. It provides stabilization of a flat bottom boat in large bodies of water and it protects against tilting from strong currents or large waves.

[0010] A prior art patentability search for stabilizing small water craft was conducted. The search did not reveal any patents that met the objectives established by the inventor for the use on a flat bottom boat. The typical prior art stabilizing devices researched are for canoe or kayak applications and does not provide the features that are distinctive for use on a flat bottom boat. Three examples of prior art patents are referenced below, this does not include the entire search.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,306 issued Oct. 23, 2001 to Grzybowski for Water Craft Stabilizer System.

[0012] U.S. Pat No. 5,826,529 issued Oct. 27, 1998 to Ely for Stabilizing Hull for Watercraft

[0013] U.S. Pat No. 5,647,297 issued Jul. 15, 1997 to Iianson for Foam Stabilized Watercraft

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention includes two longitudinal sealed pipes deployed on each side of the boat. Attached to the boat by crossbeams and includes hinges to allow the pipes to fold up during transportation. The front-end portion of the pipes are curved upwardly to allow for easy maneuverability through the water.

[0015] The principal object of this invention is to stabilize a flat bottom boat and reduce the risk of tilting or capsizing while in all bodies of water and increasing occupant mobility in the boat.

[0016] To provide a safer operating environment in normal and turbulent conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a side view of the stabilizer.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a front view of the stabilizer.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front side detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020]FIG. 1 is a side view of the stabilizer system representing in particular the angled plate 2 made of aluminum and designed as a wave breaker located at the front end of the upturned longitudinal sealed pipe (schedule 40 pvc pipe 5) pipe size can vary. The pipe 5 includes a water plug located on top rear of each pipe to allow for draining excess moisture. The angled plate 2 is attached to the pipe with ½by ⅛inch thick medal braces and bolts, number of braces and bolts vary depending on size of stabilizer. The medal strap 6 located underneath the pipe 5 secures the pipe 5 to the strut (FIG. 3, #3). The medal strap 6 is a ⅛by ½inch strap secured to the strut (FIG. 3, #3) by a bolt on the inside (boat side) and, a bolt and turnbuckle on the outside of the strut (FIG. 3, #3). The medal pipe 4 attaches to each crossbeam (FIG. 2, #1) and holds an optional netting in place (not pictured). The medal pipe 4 is a ⅞rigid conduit inserted through the crossbeams (FIG. 2, #1) and held by cotter pins. The netting may be connected to the crossbeams (FIG. 2, #1) and the boat (not pictured) by small eye-bolts and to the pipe 5 with plastic ties.

[0021]FIG. 2 represents the front view of FIG. 1. Two crossbeams 1, are used to attach the stabilizer system to the boat.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3 the Front Side Detail, the strut 3 allows the pipe (FIG. 1, #5) to be secured to the crossbeams (FIG. 2, #1). The strut 3 is welded to the crossbeams (FIG. 2, #1), the strut 3 consist of five medal braces. The two outside braces of the strut 3 are {fraction (3/16)}by {fraction (3)}inch, length varies depending on depth of boat, the two inside braces of the strut 3 are ¼by 1 inch and length varies depending on depth of boat. The hinge 7 allows the float and strut system to be raised during transportation, the hinge 7 is a medal hinge that rotates 180 degrees to allow the float and strut system to lay flat on the crossbeams (FIG. 2, #1). Two angle plates and U Bolt Hangers 8 are welded to the crossbeams (FIG. 2, #1) and attaches the stabilizer system to the gunwale. The leveling plates 10, are thin medal plates used to level the front crossbeam (FIG. 2, #1) parallel to the back crossbeam and allow hinges 7 to operate properly. The latching plates 9 are used to lock down the crossbeam (FIG. 2, #1) while in use. A latching plate 9, is placed on each side of the crossbeam (FIG. 2, #1). The boat side ends of the latching plates 9 are welded to the crossbeam (FIG. 2, #1), the strut 3 side end of the latching plates 9 are secured to the crossbeam (FIG. 2, #1) by a bolt that goes through the latching plates 9 and the crossbeam (FIG. 2, #1). 

I claim.
 1. A stabilizer for a flat bottom boat comprising of two longitudinal sealed tubes as the flotation device extending parallel on each side of the boat with a water breaking plate on the front end of each tube. Two crossbeams connecting the longitudinal tubes to the boat by struts and medal straps comprise the stabilizer system. The stabilizer system is attached to the gunwale by two angle plates and U bolts.
 2. The flat bottom boat stabilizer according to claim 1 in which the flotation device comprises: a pair of longitudinal cylinder tubes with upturned end portions as water breaking plates to stabilize the boat in said bodies of water and removable water plug for draining excess moisture.
 3. The flat bottom boat stabilizer according to claim 1 in which the struts comprises: five medal braces connected to said crossbeam allows the cylinder tubes to be secured to the crossbeam.
 4. The flat bottom boat stabilizer according to claim 1 in which the medal straps comprises: a medal strap secured to the strut by a bolt on the inside (boat side) and, a bolt and turnbuckle on the outside of the strut for securing the cylinder tubes to the stabilizing system.
 5. The flat bottom boat stabilizer according to claim 1 in which the crossbeam comprises: a square tubing with hinges to raise and lower the strut and flotation system. Latching plates to lock down the crossbeam, placed on each side of the crossbeam where the hinge is located and welded to the crossbeam on the boat side ends of the latching plates, the strut side end of the latching plates are secured to the crossbeam by a bolt penetrating through the latching plates and the crossbeam:
 6. The flat bottom boat stabilizer according to claim 5 in which the crossbeam comprises: two angle plates and U Bolts for securing the stabilizer system to said boat. 